The synergistic effect of dilute alloying and nanostructuring of copper on the improvement of mechanical and tribological response

This work deals mechanical and tribological properties of pure copper, reinforced by various weight percentages of tin, before and after the application of equal channel angular pressing. It is found that the hardness, yield, and ultimate shear strengths are considerably improved through ECAP due to grain refinement. The effect of ECAP process on mechanical properties of dilute copper alloys is more significant than that of the pure condition. Also, the strengthening behavior is slightly intensified by increasing the amount of tin content in pure copper. Additionally, work-hardening potential of CP–Cu is restricted due to the ECAP process and also, through the production of dilute copper alloys. The results showed that the effect of ECAP on friction coefficient reduction is more sizeable than making the dilute alloys. Furthermore, the reduction of electrical conductivity in the deformed materials relies on the lattice distortion increase of copper due to the addition of Sn to Cu and the increment of dislocations density. Finally, ECAP procedure and alloying together, terminate to the better wear response of the materials. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd